Dr. George Joseph

Dr. George Joseph started his research career in 1962 at
the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bombay , where
he was involved in the study of cosmic rays. At TIFR, as part of
his research work, Dr. Joseph developed a number of particle
detector systems such as scintillation, Cerenkov and spark chamber
detectors for use in balloon borne experiments to study cosmic
rays. A novel detector system designed by him was flown on the
first Indian Satellite ARYABHATA to detect solar neutrons. He was
first amongst the few to set useful upper limits on the solar
neutron flux which is fundamental to the understanding of solar
surface nuclear reactions.

Since 1973, at Space
Applications Centre (SAC), he was instrumental in developing a
variety of electro-optical sensors for earth observations which
were first of its kind in India. These include ground-truth
radiometers, multispectral scanners, multiबैंड TV camera for
BHASKARA satellite, CCD cameras for the operational Indian Remote
Sensing satellite ( IRS ), Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR)
for meteorological observation from INSAT, etc. Excellent
performance of IRS with high quality imageries generated by its
CCD camera, and the excellent pictures from VHRR have put India
amongst a few select countries of the world with earth observation
capability from space. The IRS PAN Camera with a resolution of 5
meter flown on IRS 1C in 1995 was the best spatial resolution
civilian earth observation system at that time. As a part of these
efforts, he has established an electro-optical laboratory, which
is comparable to the best in the world with capability to design,
manufacture and test a variety of complex optical systems and
sensors of state-of-the-art. He is rightfully considered the
pioneer of satellite based imaging sensors in the country.

Apart from being the guiding force for the development of
all earth observation remote sensors developed by ISRO, Dr Joseph
has made substantial contribution towards the realisation of
various remote sensing related activities such as data products
generation, image processing techniques, and evolving methodology
for utilisation of Remote Sensing data for various applications.

During 1998–2003, as Satish Dhawan Distinguished
Professor, Dr. Joseph has been engaged in research/studies related
to various aspects of remote sensing technology & applications and
actively involved in shaping and guiding remote sensing programmes
of India . He chaired the committee to evolve a 25 years Earth
Observation Programme, which brought out a strategic plan – EO
2025. Another noteworthy contribution of Dr Joseph during this
period is the study report on Indian Mission to Moon in the
capacity as Chairman, Lunar Mission Study Task Force.

During 2006-2009, he was Director, Centre for Space Science and
Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTE-AP),
(affiliated to UN) with headquarters at Dehradun.

Dr. Joseph has served in a number of national and international
committees/organisations including President of Technical
Commission–1 of the International Society for Photogrammetry and
Remote Sensing (ISPRS) during 1996-2000.

He has
published a number of scientific papers in national/international
journals. He has authored a book titled ` Fundamentals of Remote
Sensing ', which is the first complete textbook on remote sensing
written by an Indian author for beginners.

He is
Fellow of number of National Academies such as: Indian Academy of
Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, India, and Indian National
Academy of Engineering.

In recognition of his
outstanding contributions to electro optical sensor development
and for his distinguished achievements in furthering the remote
sensing utilization in the country, he has been honored in 1999 by
the Government of India's civilian award – Padma Bhushan .

Other awards he received include SICO – National Academy
of Science Award for instrumentation in 1968, Shri Om Prakash
Bhasin Foundation for Science and Technology Award in 1987 in the
discipline Space and Aerospace, Bhaskara Award for the year 1997
by the Indian Society of Remote Sensing for his outstanding
lifetime contribution towards development of onboard sensors in
Indian Remote Sensing Satellite system, Aryabhata Award instituted
by Astronautical Society of India for outstanding lifetime
contribution to the promotion of astronautics in India-2007,
Outstanding Achievement award by ISRO-2008, Geospatial
Technologies Lifetime Achievement Award-2008, and Ministry of
Earth Sciences (MOES) award for lifetime contribution in Ocean
Science and technologies in 2009s .